Chapter 7: The Heirloom

Eventually, the time went on and of course, Amanda recovered from her illness. Over the next few weeks, the summer, as long as it could last, came to its' end and it all came to the new snow to fall, starting the season for the mail deliveries from the dog services.

Now that he had multiple cousins in two different teams as the sled dogs, Nero was happy enough that some of them, Kassan, Harath, Atta and Ian, had managed to become the sled dogs under the same team. Also, Amanda could cheer on her stepsiblings Taiga, Rodney, Sarah and Tayer being in sled teams.

Because Nero had the intention to ask Amanda to be his mate for the third date, which was delayed, it was revealed that Amanda should let her parents know about that first. As if there was some kind of surprise not only for Amanda, but also for Nero.

With the beginning of the fall, it was a chilly morning for Nero, who was walking through the streets with his brother-in-law Rodney, who had been a sled dog for a good while in the team. Rodney was heard talking: "After all, having dad's blood flowing in my veins made my dream come true!"

Nero, seeing Rodney as his older brother, patted his back out of support by saying: "And you were chasing that dream hard, knowing that you believe in yourself, weren't you?" Of course, why wouldn't Rodney believe in himself to become one of the fastest sled dogs in the entire town of Nome?

"Of course I did! If Tayer could, why couldn't I, Taiga or Sarah chase that dream too!?" Rodney laughed on that statement, seeing nothing bad coming from Nero. As they were talking, the young black male dog was coming towards them. It was very clear to both Nero and Rodney who that was - Geed.

"Oh, hey there Geed!" Rodney cheerfully greeted his youngest step-brother, who was seeming quite out of joy himself too. Only he had a message to deliver, not to Rodney though, but to Nero. First off, he said: "Hey guys! I just came here to let you, Nero, know that my mom and dad want to talk to you."

This had be it, Nero thought to himself, Amanda has finally told to her parents about their eventual romantic night. The surprise is coming soon, he continued. Looking at Geed, Nero said quite confidently: "I am going there immediately. Sorry if I have to leave, Rod."

Rodney just smiled and said: "Why to be sorry? It's a great thing that my dad and Elizabeth have something for you to say, don't they?!" He was right, no need to argue with him about that. So all that Nero could do was to nod to Geed and Rodney and to head towards Steele's.

Once that he was there, he could have felt Amanda's scent there, indicating her presence inside her house. He still had that good feeling brewing inside him. Something good just had to happen once he was going to get inside. Wasting no longer time, Nero took a deep breath and headed into the house.

Now that he was in the house, he could have already spotted three black dogs in front of the fireplace, recognizing them instantly - Steele, Elizabeth and Amanda. Spotting their guest, the smiles on their faces stretched from one cheek to the another.

"Nero! It's great to see you!" Amanda said quite joyfully as she headed to embrace her boyfriend, with him doing the same so he could enjoy the touch of his love. He replied to her: "It's wonderful to see you too, Amanda!" With the joy coming from them both, Steele and Elizabeth watched that scenery in delight.

Then, Steele finally spoke: "Alright, you two. Now come closer, as there's something we have to talk about!" That offer couldn't have been denied so both young lovedogs came to her parents and settled down between them, Amanda next to Steele and Nero next to Elizabeth. Steele said: "Now that we know you two are planning to seal your relationship, there's something you need to know."

Of course, since it was no longer a surprise, it was at least good from them to approve something like that. What kind of surprise was going to await them this time? Thankfully, Elizabeth was able to say: "In order for you two to seal your relationship the most proper way possible, there is the family tradition coming from my side, which is going to make this sealing memorable."

Now that the family tradition was taken in account, this should be good. This should be something to remember for. Of course, Amanda's curiosity was too strong to be held so it was on her to say: "And what is that family tradition of yours, mom?"

Just as she was expecting, Elizabeth was happy to hear that question coming from her daughter. Elizabeth happily continued: "When my mother was on her romantic night, she was wearing the family heirloom - the purple collar with rubies engraved on it. My great grandmother, or the grandmother of my mother, wore the same collar on her romantic night. Then the grandmother of hers wore it..."

And basically, it was on Steele to finish: "Your mother wishes to let you know that you're the next to wear it on your romantic night with Nero." Amanda gasped in utter surprise upon hearing that, her wearing a wealthy collar?! As much as she loved to hear that, she asked once again: "But do I have to wear it from then on?"

Both Steele and Elizabeth were pretty alright with her question, with Elizabeth saying: "No, you only wear it for your romantic night. If you wish to wear it, then you may. You may give it to a friend of yours, as long as she's in relationship with your brothers, alright?" Amanda nodded in affirmation.

Hearing all this, Nero was curious enough to ask: "Elizabeth, since Amanda is the first one to wear that collar, does that mean that your mother was the first one to wear it despite her having siblings, if she had any?" And much to his surprise, Lizzy replied: "In fact that is true! My mother was the first of her siblings to find a love of her life! Though as much as I remember, she has less siblings then Amanda."

With Nero nodding in approval, being glad to know about that interesting family heritage of hers, Amanda just asked: "When do I get the heirloom? Is it here somewhere?"

Steele and Elizabeth both smiled to each other in a such delightful way, then they looked at her and just said: "Oh yes it is! If you two plan to seal your relationship anytime soon, I'm going to bring it to you now, Amanda!" As if the things couldn't get any easier!

Much to the delight of these two lovedogs, Amanda leaned on Nero's shoulder and sighed in content, being so glad that she was going to get the heirloom and the fact that she and Nero were going to seal their relationship at last! While Steele was proudly watching then, Elizabeth headed to her owner's room to find the heirloom.

But, two minutes later, the gasping and the screaming came from the bedroom and all three down there were alarmed by that scream, with Steele barking: "LIZZY?!" Making their way through, Amanda, Nero and Steele rushed to the bedroom upstairs.

Once they were in the bedroom, they had found Lizzy by her owner's bed, with the closet being fully opened and the violet box in front of her. She was inhaling and exhaling in shock and awe. As if she had seen something terrifying that scarred her for life!

"Lizzy!" Steele rushed to his mate and grabbed her by her shoulders as she buried her head into his chest. Something was not right, even if Nero and Amanda came closer. Something was not right, and looking at the violet box, it contained some old photos, but the heirloom was not inside!

"Mom... mom, what happened?!" Amanda asked her mother as she was feeling that something bad had indeed happened. Were these old photos that scared her out of the fur. Taking the look at the photos, they were looking quite normal, but then... "I left it... I left the heirloom home! I cannot believe it I switched boxes!"

While Amanda had no clue what her mother was talking about, taking in account that this was her home, Nero and Steele realized what she was trying to say. Being faster, Nero asked: "You say that you left your heirloom back in the town of Nenana?!" As if it couldn't get any worse, Elizabeth weakly nodded.

Then, Amanda was getting what just happened, so she gasped in shock, realizing that town was miles and miles on the east of their home! Nero looked down in disappointment totally, seeing how his chances to become mates with Amanda were decreasing. Even Steele asked: "Lizzy, what are we going to do now? Shall we let them...?"

While Elizabeth was trying her best not to cry, trying to keep her dignity, she looked at her mate and just said: "We should let them choose about this... but it is not going to be the same..." Even if nothing went wrong with this, the chances weren't that promising.

"Elizabeth! Elizabeth, I may be insane by this, but..." Nero suddenly called her, seeing that there were no chances to miss now, he just had to use the final card down his sleeves(?) and looking at Amanda, Steele and Elizabeth, he muttered: "I'm going to Nenana. I'm going to retrieve your heirloom. I'm going to bring back what belongs to your family!"

These were the words that actually managed to trigger the three dogs in Nero's presence. What was he saying?! Going all the way to the town of Nenana to retrieve Elizabeth's heirloom?! All this journey for the precious collar?! Even Amanda had to ask: "Nero? Are you sure you want to go all the way there?"

But at that point, Nero was determined enough to do the most impossible things on this world. Looking sincerely at Amanda, Nero inhaled and exhaled, eventually saying: "Yes, Amanda. I am sure. I am going to that town and bring here what belongs to your family. Your mother would be happy to have heirloom back, wouldn't she?"

At that moment, Elizabeth was literally touched by these words and without anymore words, she rushed through and suddenly embraced Nero tightly, whispering: "Oh, Nero. You really don't have to do this... but if you are determined enough to do it, thank you! I wish you all the best if you're going."

As she released him, Steele made it to the center of attention, wanting to show that he was still present in this house. Putting his paw around Nero's back, he looked in his eyes determinedly and said: "If I were as young as you are, Nero, I'd come with you... I think I have my journey of life."

Of course, knowing how much Steele adored her, Amanda headed to embrace her father, whispering with the whisper as soft as the feather was: "Don't worry, dad. You should stay with mom here, she needs the comfort." It could be also said that Amanda wanted to go, but knew that it might not be likely.

Then she looked at Nero, with her eyes full of questions. The main one, which was forming in her mind, came to her to say: "But don't tell me you're going alone there... I wish I can go with you, but... I don't think I can handle the wilderness... I'm sorry..." Then she looked like as if she had made a decision that was going to cost their relationship badly.

"No, Amanda." Nero spoke, with her looking at him. In fact, Nero put his paw under her chin so she could look at him better. Full of confidence at that point, he spoke: "Don't blame yourself. I must agree that you should be staying home here. But don't worry, I know exactly who is going to help me!"

Then Amanda gasped in surprise and in relief, knowing that the love of her life was not going to go all the way there by himself and in process, let something terrible happen to him. With him releasing her chin, Nero looked at the others in the house and finished by saying: "This is it, the journey that I shall embark on soon... but not alone."

While they were wondering who were going to be companions on his journey, Nero already turned on his paws and rushed downstairs all the way to the doors, leaving the house. He was not lying - he had someone in mind to bring onto the journey; his wolf cousins... they could handle the wilderness very well.

But on his way to the old boat on the beach, two voices called him - two familiar voices, saying: "Nero!" and "Nero, wait!" Both male voices and both of them belonged to the dogs he had been with before - Rodney and Geed. Looking at them, he felt like as if he was in the life-threatening situation, with the precious time being wasted.

"Nero, hold on, what's the rush!?" Rodney was faster, being by Nero's side much before than Geed was. While Rodney was puzzled a bit about Nero's sudden change of behavior, Geed was able to notice something was just not right, causing him to ask: "Nero? What happened? What did my mom and dad to with you and Amanda?"

Knowing that he was good with both of them, seeing Rodney as the brother figure ever since he and Kiana became close friends, and the fact that Geed was dating Amber, he couldn't do anything else but to let them know, starting with: "Geed, as you were asking, here's what happened..."

Surprisingly, he was able to recall everything and tell them the entire story in a pretty short amount, Geed and Rodney were looking at each other, surprised by that scenery happening at their father's house. Then, Nero turned around and just said: "Now if you excuse me, I must go tell my wolf cousins about this!"

But then, he felt that the paw was placed on his shoulder and turning around, he noticed it was Rodney who placed it, with a pretty determined look on his face, saying: "Even if you're going to ask them, I'm coming with you on this journey. Don't stop me, I have been growing up in the wild and I know how to handle the Alaskan wilderness."

Suddenly, Geed came closer and being equally determined, he just said: "Then I'm coming with you. Even if this isn't a journey for me, you must know that it's something that belongs to my dear mother. I don't want to see her weep for something that belongs to her. I don't want to see her being drown in sadness!"

Rodney was considering to object at that, but knowing that Geed could be a little bit too stubborn, he couldn't do anything to stop him. Looking back at Nero, all he had to ask was: "So... what do we do now?" He was awaiting for that question.

Instead of rushing onto the journey, Nero just calmly said: "First, we go to my wolf cousins in their den. We'll have to go to the old boat to let my uncle Kenai or aunt Aleu to lead us there. Then we see who's going to come with us. Basically... let us go!" Obviously, they were going to the old boat, with Nero leading the way.

Once reaching the old boat, Aleu was there, with Nero asking her if she could take them to Tundra's den, wanting to let her and the others know about the potential journey. Nothing was revealed to Aleu yet, as Nero was fearing that she'd tell Yukon and he'd possibly had to stay in Nome. Thankfully, they managed to reach the den quickly.

Then, the voice asked: "Nero?! Is that really you?" It was Aki, and upon seeing the look on Nero's face, he knew that there was something he had to say, but was willing to tell the others about it, knowing that it'd make no sense to repeat the same thing over and over, so he asked: "Aki, mind if you gather the others here? It's urgent!"

While Aki didn't smile, as he usually would, he just said calmly: "There's no need to gather the others, because they're already in here!" And truth to be said, the other wolves of this den were there. Sirius came out of the cave, only to dearly see his close friend again. Naia was following in fast, being accompanied by her white puppy Frost. She was around two months old by now.

"Nero! It's good to see you!" Naia said cheerfully as she headed towards her cousin, with Frost playfully following her mother. Seeing Nero, the little puppy just said: "Mama! This wolf looks just like papa!" While that made some of the canines present laugh, Naia stroke her daughter with her paw, saying: "Now, now, Frost. I shall let you know better of him if you want. But it seems that something is urgent as I heard..."

Aki looked back at his sister and cousin, suddenly recalling why Nero had come here. Just wanting to let his sister know, he said: "It feels like as if the town of Nome is in trouble." Close enough, Nero thought to himself. Close enough, Aki. It allowed Nero to say: "Let me tell what's so urgent..."

With Aleu being present there, she and the others were listening to what Nero was speaking, even if Rodney and Geed had to listen to it again. Again, surprisingly, it didn't take him too much to tell them all what was he telling them. In the end, all that he hoped was: "If only there was any of you who'd help me go there."

When he was finished, now all that he could hope was at least one of his wolf friends or cousins to come with him. But since Naia was close to him, it was Sirius who came closer to them and just said: "If you need a companion, then I am going with you, Nero." Immediately, Naia followed: "If you are going, Sirius, I'm coming along."

Aleu, listening to this entire story and hearing her daughter's determination, walked up to her and said: "Naia, are you sure you can handle going there by yourself? After all, you are the youngest. Not that I am stopping you to go there." Indeed, Aleu wanted to leave Naia choose by herself about this.

Naia leaned closer to her mother to nuzzle her in an approval, muttering: "Yes, mama. I am sure about this." Then, the little puppy Frost climbed on Naia's paw and asked: "Mama, can I go with you on this journey? Please, please!" The little white wolf puppy, who was as white as Naia, but had that same eyes as Aniu had, was so hard not to resist.

As much as he wanted to be with her daughter and with her other puppies, Naia confidently responded with: "I'm sorry, Frost. You'll stay here with your aunt Tundra and uncles Aki and Denahi, along with your siblings. You'll also have grandma Aleu and grandpa Kenai to look after you." Frost, a little bit, sad, nodded and said: "Okay, mama."

But Nero heard that Naia was saying her siblings would be looking after them, so he had to ask: "So, your siblings won't be coming?". At that moment, Aki spoke: "I think it is better that we don't risk ourselves by going too much. The five of you are enough." But all that was need was to hear Aleu.

While she didn't like to leave her nephew to go there by himself, knowing that there were his parents to discuss about this, along with Rodney and Geed's parents. Confidently, Aleu let him know: "Nero, you know I'll have to talk to your father and mother about this? Same to you too, Rodney, Geed."

Knowing that there was no point to argue with Aleu, Nero, Rodney and Geed all nodded with their heads to show what they were thinking. But when Sirius asked this: "So, we won't be going today?" Truth was, Nero didn't intend to go today immediately, but...: "Let us see how this talk with my parents will go and then you'll be let known. In a few days!"

With Sirius and Naia knowing that they were going on a journey with Nero, Geed and Rodney, the three dogs could peacefully return to the town of Nome, following Aleu. While they were walking, Aleu smiled slightly as she was saying: "I must admit, Nero. You really possess a wolf spirit deep inside yourself." With that being said, Nero blushed.

And as said, Nero had in mind to set off on that journey in a day or two. All in all, he decided to be the second day to go instead, knowing that the members of his family and relatives were talking about Nero's journey, whether that was right thing to do or a mere foolishness?

"Nero, I don't know if we should let you go there." Yukon was speaking as he was thinking what to do about Nero's decision to go into the remote town of the sole heart of Alaska. Him, Yin, Yang, Kiana, Amber and some others were gathered in Nero's house to talk about it. "Even if you have chosen your allies, it's dangerous out there."

Knowing that he was not going to be let on that journey easily, Nero decided to stay calm as he knew how the stakes were high if he angered his father, so he said: "Dad, I know that you and mom are worried for me ever since that wolf attack, but know that Naia and Sirius are going to be on my side! It could be a journey that'd end up helping me get rid of that trauma."

With Yin looking at her son, trying to stay herself all this time, she placed her paw around his shoulders and said: "Nero, my dear son, you have been through a lot during your life, with some of your incidents going wrong. None of us wants you to be endangered for life." This all seemed like his chances were thinning.

But then, two of the guests in this house, Rodney and Geed being among them, decided to step in for once so they said: "Yin, Yukon. I know how deeply worried you are for Nero, but know this - I have grown up in the wilderness of Alaska and let us not forget that I have him by his side if anything goes wrong!"

With the confidence being strong in his tone, this was plenty for the parents to decide whether they should let Nero go or not. They turned around and talked to each other, quite silent so Nero couldn't hear them. Geed, placing the paw on Nero's back, just said: "Shira allowed Rodney to go, so did my parents to me, albeit it wasn't really easy. I'd not go on it if we didn't have the ones who know the wilderness."

Now everything that Nero was hoping for was that Geed's hopes would come true, with Nero setting of on a journey. But once seeing his parents coming, the looks on their faces were actually looking quite promising and even Yukon said: "We have decided - if you truly care for your goal on that journey, then you may go, my son."

With that being said, Nero didn't waste a second to embrace his parents, happily exclaiming: "Mom! Dad! Thank you so much for letting me go there!" After embracing his parents, Yang came closer to embrace his nephew, whispering: "Stay strong, my nephew, you'll see what this journey is going to tell you!"

And of course, Kiana and Amber came to embrace their brother, with Kiana saying: "As long as you are absent, I shall do my best to take care of little Neve." Rodney pretty much appreciated that, embracing his beloved mate. Amber, after embracing Nero, came to embrace Geed and said: "Let us hope that we shall go on where we shall stop tomorrow." No doubts, Geed was touched by her affection.

The next morning...

As the sun was rising on the east, so was the journey about to begin. Naia and Sirius, being accompanied by Kenai, who escorted them to the closest houses of the town, were telling him that they shall return safely, which was making Kenai feel safer, knowing how much he adored his pretty white wolf daughter.

Speaking of the dogs who were about to set on the journey, Geed was bidding farewell to his mother, telling her that there was nothing to worry about. Rodney was embracing Shira, saying that he was going to use his wildlife experiences there. Despite her worries, she was losing no trust in her son. The siblings of Geed and Rodney were there to bid him farewell.

Nero was bidding farewell to his parents, Yang and his sisters, with Kiana having her pups there to bid farewell to their uncle, Neve being one of them, before they headed to bid farewell to their father. Eventually, it came to Balto and Jenna to bid farewell to their grandson.

"After all, Nero, you do possess that spirit your grandfather Balto has - the spirit of the wolf." Jenna wisely let her grandson know as she was giving him a tight hug. When it was Balto's turn, he placed his paw on his shoulder and said: "I wish I could go with you, but it seems that I'm not that young to go on journeys anymore."

After hugging his grandfather, Nero was about to bid farewell to the others, when suddenly... "Nero! Wait, wait!" How could he have forgotten Amanda?! Out of the all dogs, she meant to him a lot, yet he forgot to bid farewell to her! As she was running towards him, she almost collided into his chest, but thankfully, ended up nuzzling him.

"Nero, before you go... take this." Amanda whispered to his ear and wondering what was "this" meaning, Amanda bowed down and let her red bandanna slip down her neck. She managed to grab it with her jaws and placed it around Nero's neck. Then she nuzzled him once again, with Nero saying: "Amanda... thank you." That made him embrace her.

With him being in her embrace, Amanda whispered to him: "Be safe, my love... be strong... once you return home, the two of us are going to be the happiest dogs in the entire world!" Her words weren't a lie, because it all would go to the point that Amanda adored him so much. With them parting from each other, the other dogs present were waving them farewell.

"Nero, my nephew! Hold on tight! Your mother, father and the rest of your family have faith in you!" Yang shouted to him across the street, wanting to let Nero know that the journey of life was ahead of him. He just yelled back in response: "I know, uncle Yang! I KNOW!" Then he and the others were finally able to leave the town.

With the dogs and wolves leaving the town for the journey ahead of them, Amanda was leaning on her father's shoulder and she just whispered: "Oh, dad... I'm going to miss them all these days, but Nero mostly..." Seeing how emotional his daughter was now, he embraced her and whispered softly: "I know, I know..."

Meanwhile, at the canines who were starting their journey...

As they were nearing to the forest where the wolves were living, Nero was making sure that everything was in a pristine condition and that everything was settled. Realizing that he had forgot to ask Elizabeth about her old house, he asked Geed: "Hey, has your mom told you where her old house in Nenana is?"

Thankfully, with Geed being reliable source, he smiled proudly and just said: "Of course I did! Her house is the second one on the left after the train station when we get there. It has the been built out of the quality spruce from the parts there." Seeing that he indeed asked her, Nero just added: "Right. Now we are onto our journey with enough information."

Though, they had to take a small break from the journey as Naia and Sirius had to bid farewell to their siblings and pups, letting them know that this journey was going to go smooth as long as their hopes were high and as long as they had each other. All in all, they were ready to go.

With the days going through as they were heading towards the east, as the town of Nenana was taking few days away from their hometown, the blizzards here and there would try to slow the canines down, but their hopes and joys of this journeys were not faltering. For the most of the time.

"You know, I'm actually glad that I bailed myself out of the sled service for a short time." Rodney was telling his companions the story about him being out for a few days. They were dining some of the prey Naia and Sirius were able to hunt down, just near the town of Galena, close to the river Yukon. "It has helped Timber a lot!"

Geed, who was not looking like he was enjoying his meal, being used to the home food and so, was interested by that statement so he had to ask: "And how's that it helped Timber?" Just as he was expecting, Rodney was always able to respond to his stepbrother, by saying: "Simple, since he didn't make it in the same team as Titanium, all he needs is someone from the other team to be out. And I definitely hope that he has a place for a short time before officially becoming a sled dog!"

Smiling on that, Nero remembered that Timber was dating one of his cousins, so he added: "Let us not forget that Tenana had to do something with that. In fact, she's been encouraging him to carry on and in fact, he ended up liking my cousin!" Naia and Sirius exchanged the surprised glances with each other.

"Uggghhhh, I don't think I can eat this anymore." Geed, who hadn't been enjoying the prey his wolf companions caught, stopped eating it. He didn't realize that Rodney and Nero didn't enjoy it as well, but they weren't complaining, yet kept eating. Rodney looked at Geed and said: "Geed, have you asked yourself how do we stand with this wildlife food?"

Looking back at his older stepbrother, Geed was wondering what was Rodney talking about. With Rodney's face turning into a bit pained one, as if he recalled something terrible, Rodney spoke: "While you Geed grew up under human's care and had tons of fresh food, I had to hunt the food for myself when I was growing up. I was living the wolf's life unlike you."

Even if Rodney said short amount of words, Geed was coming to his senses that Rodney was not talking some weird nonsense, but something that Rodney was dealing with in his puppy days. He pulled back his food, starting to eat it again and said: "Rodney... I'm sorry, I really didn't mean to be ungrateful... I'm sorry..." Of course he was, which the others could have seen.

With the days passing by, going through one remote place through another remote place, going through the toughest of mother nature, relying on prey the wolf companions were hunting... the optimism was not fading at any point, nor the will do go to their destination.

On the dawn of the fifth day...

"Look, we have made it!" Nero, who was leading the journey for a roughly ten minutes, spotted the sign of the town of Nenana, reading: "Welcome to the town of Nenana! Population: 290. Ahead of you, 5 miles." The others came closer to get convinced by that.

Having the smiles stretching on their faces, Geed happily barked out: "This is it, everyone! We find my mom's old house, we find the heirloom and we came go home!" The others howled in an approval, loving the idea of each of them being home at last after days and days of exhausting walking. Eventually, Rodney asked: "What are we waiting for?! Let's go!"

They started to get closer and closer to the town of Nenana, but once they were one mile in front of the sole town, Naia and Sirius stopped in their tracks, with Naia said: "Nero! You have to know that Sirius and I cannot just go into the town! We wait here until you retrieve the heirloom!" Of course, they just couldn't get seen by the humans!

"Stay strong, boys! Just make sure you don't get yourself into any kind of trouble!" Sirius let them all know, wanting to have his dog companions to be just safe. Nero, Rodney and Geed nodded to them, indicating their sooner return. With that done, Nero said: "Let's get this done. You with me, Rod, Geed?"

Geed enthusiastically nodded as he was ready to make his mother happy soon. Rodney nodded full of the confidence inside his body, with him saying: "You really have me with that "Rod" nickname, don't you, Nero?" They both shared a laugh with each other before they were entering the town of Nenana.

Now that they were near the train station, they were looking at the street stretching across them, wondering where could the former house Elizabeth was living be. Making their way through, looking at their left, they had spotted an unique house. The wood material used there was pretty nicely designed.

"This has to be mom's old house." Geed presumed, noticing the details on the house. The wood material used there was indeed made of quality spruce - indicating that this was her old house. However, something didn't seem right about it. The voices were heard inside the house - and they didn't like how these sounded. That made Geed say: "Wait a second, someone is in the house!"

Rodney and Nero were pretty much triggered by that, causing them to perk their ears towards the nearest window. Eventually, Rodney climbed on his rear paws and reached with his front paws on the windowsill to make sure he'd see the ones inside, with Nero asking: "Who do you see?"

As Rodney was peeking inside the house, he spotted two men in it, who were dressed like as if they weren't the residents of the house. Looking around boxes and other stuff, they seemed like the auction servicemen, seeking for the finest jewelry and relics to be sold on auction. Rodney said: "These people don't live here. They are selling the relics from this house."

"WHAT?!" Nero and Geed both yelled at the same time. What if among the jewelry was Elizabeth's collar? No, none of them could let that happen! But then they were able to hear: "This collar with diamonds here, in this purple box, think this would be a great value on Anchorage auction?" Anchorage?! They were tending to ship the box to that town for auction!?

While the other man agreed on that, the first one heard something upstairs and headed that way. Eventually, his colleague did the same thing, leaving the collar in the box behind. Geed, fuming in rage that his mother's belonging would be sold away, just said: "Guys... cover me. I am going to grab that collar and WE ARE OUT OF HERE!"

Both Nero and Rodney were dumbstruck by that, causing them to say: "Geed, what the...?!" But it came to the point that Geed, going through all the risks, literally jumped through the closed window, smashing the glass. Now that he was in the living room, he immediately commenced the search.

"Who goes there?!" One of the auction servicemen asked from upstairs, with the another one coming down. Knowing he had very little time, Geed leaped across the furniture and boxes until he had found the purple box. Peeking inside it, there it was - Elizabeth's heirloom, the diamond-engraved collar!

But as he grabbed the collar, one of the servicemen busted in through the door. Spotting Geed with the collar in his mouth, he shouted: "THIEF! GET BACK WITH THAT COLLAR, YOU THIEF!" However, Geed didn't waste any more time. Being faster, he immediately swiped for 180 degrees and jumped straight through the window he came through inside.

While the servicemen were trying their best to get outside, Geed looked at Nero and Rodney, who seemed to be quite surprised by that yelling and Geed's sudden return. He shouted with a muffled voice, because of the collar in his mouth, saying: "Let's get outta here! These two will be after us!"

Knowing that there was no more time to be wasted, Nero, Geed and Rodney bolted out to the street and heading towards the exit of the town of Nenana, the two servicemen were chaing them. But as the dogs were faster, the servicemen stopped chasing them. That made these dogs get relieved.

"Guys! Guys, hang on!" Sirius was heard shouting, with him and Naia following them. How could they forget at them?! How did they just bolted through them. But alas, the dogs stopped as they realized that Naia and Sirius were awaiting them. Naia just asked: "What happened there, guys? Why do you look so frightened?"

With Nero, Rodney and Geed, who put the collar down, telling Naia and Sirius what happened in the town, they were shocked that the humans wanted to sell the collar on auction. Being relieved they were fine, Naia nuzzled all three of the dogs, and even surprisingly, Geed didn't have any wounds on himself, despite leaping through the closed window.

"Alright, now we are all relieved and ready." Sirius let them all know as this stop to the town of Nenana wasn't that long. Nero nodded and still having Amanda's bandanna on himself, grabbed the collar and managed to stuff it below the red clothing. Looking at his companions, he nodded once again and spoke: "Now that we have it... let us go home!"

Having the collar with themselves, the heirloom to be exact - the company cheered happily as they could now head back to their hometown - Nome. With them starting to walk, Nero thought to himself: "Amanda, Elizabeth, I have something belonging to you both. You are going to be overjoyed to see it!"